Leadership vacuum to blame in Dolphins case?

DAVIE, Fla. (AP) — A leadership vacuum may be partly to blame for the troubled relationship between Miami Dolphins offensive linemen Jonathan Martin and Richie Incognito, which has left both players sidelined and the team in turmoil.

The ongoing saga has raised questions whether coach Joe Philbin and his staff were negligent in allowing issues between Martin and Incognito to fester.

Current and ex-players around the NFL say the situation reflects a lack of leadership because teammates of Martin and Incognito didn’t intervene to stop any harassment.

The NFL is investigating, trying determine who knew what, including whether Incognito harassed or bullied Martin.

The second-year player left the team last week and is with his family in California to undergo counseling for emotional issues. Incognito has been suspended indefinitely.